Repurposing Commercial Buildings for Food Production in Los Angeles

Abstract
Los Angeles has a high-density population that sources their food from large scale suppliers, distributors, local agriculture, and food processing businesses. Operating under a global food system that is monopolizing the market and distancing consumers from food impacts sustainability within production. With the rise of urban development, Los Angeles County will use their commercial buildings as a form of urbanized farming where cultivation is done within the city. It will fight off food insecurity and provide communities with freshly grown food closer to Los Angeles’ budget. It also happens to be an environmentally friendly process as urban agricultural practices on commercial buildings recycle resources, fulfill conservation goals, and reduce food miles. For the economy, it imposes potential public benefits and commodity outputs as well. For instance, employment opportunities in relation to local markets and vertical farming systems, revitalizing vacant land to increase property value, and cutting carbon emissions due to reducing transportation. Repurposing commercial buildings for food production is relatively new and not usually practiced; therefore, there are both pros and cons to these proposals. While taking climate change and sustainability into account, urbanized agriculture proposes a positive impact on society where it is labeled to be one of the solutions with the highest productivity potential for cities. Los Angeles already has commercial buildings that are open for availability, so repurposing these infrastructures with support from governmental powers and public-private partnerships will address food insecurity within communities living in higher poverty rates and promote eco-friendliness. Needed funds will vary when considering location, space being used, and other operational costs. Investing in infrastructures will maximize available space for agriculture in urban areas, ensure sustainability within food production, and optimize job opportunities. With this practice of controlled-environment agriculture, it is estimated to cost $5,265,062.53 per building.